Tube straightening machine



June 27, 1944. PARKER TUBE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed March 51, 1941 Patented June 27, 1944 TUBE STRAIGHTENIN G MACHINE Arthur L. Parker, Cleveland, Ohio, asslgnor to The Parker Appliance Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1941, Serial No. 386,223

2Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a machine for straightening tubing.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism having die shaping blocks which may be brought into engagement with a curved tube for straightening the same. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a tube straightening machine embodying the invention.

Figure 2' is a view in end elevation of the machine.

The straightening machine shown in the drawing includes a supporting base I on which is mounted standards 2-2 which support the movable die blocks employed in the straightening of a tube. The tube to be straightened is shown at 3. As illustrated, there are four die blocks arranged in opposing pairs. One pair of die blocks is indicated at 4-4 and the other pair is indicated at 5-5. Each die block has its inner face which is to contact with the tube shaped in transverse section so as to conform to the curvature of a straight tube of the diameter which is to be operated upon. curved throughout the length of the die block so that the forming face of the die block in longitudinal section is straight. In other words, lines extending longitudinally of the opposing faces of a pair of die blocks are parallel. This is true of both pairs of die blocks so that when these surfaces are pressed against the tube and the tube is caused to conform to the inner forming surface of the die blocks, it will be straightened. The standards are provided with projecting ribs 6 and the die blocks are provided with grooves in the sides thereof which receive these ribs so that the die blocks are free to move on these guiding ribs. Each die block intermediate the ends thereof is provided with a recess 1. Pivotally mounted -in the recess is a roller 8 which projects beyond the surface of the die block.

Attached to the supporting base I is a ring shaped frame 9. There are two of -these frames and they are spaced from each other. A cam ring I is mounted for rotation in these frame members. Between the frame member and the cam ring is a series of ball bearings l I. The cam ring has a portion projecting outwardly between the frame members 9-9. V-belts l2 engage the cam ring and rotate the same.

The rollers 8 contact with the cam face l3 of this rotating cam ring. This cam face is provided with concentric surfaces indicated at It which force the die blocks simultaneously into contact with the tube end to an extent to cause a curved section of tube engaged by the die blocks to be straightened. There is a spring l associated with each die block for moving the same outward. The cam face on the inside of the cam ring In is provided with sections l6 which are This face is 'unirormiyz eccentric to the axis of rotation of the ring and so shaped as to permit these die blocks to be moved outward by the spring. When the ring is rotated rapidly, the die blocks will be moved inward so as to contact with the tube, then outward releasing the tube and then inward intermittently pressing and releasing the tube that is placed between the die blocks. The ends of the die blocks are curved as shown at ll. A

tube which is curved and is to be straightened is fed into the machine at this end of the die blocks. When the die blocks move away from each other, the tube can be advanced and the die blocks will move into contact therewith and straighten out any curvature therein. The tube may be fed forward in small increments but by substantially continuous movement and as the tube section leaves the opposite end of the die block, it will be straightened.

mally straight section of said tube and of a length sufllcient when contacting with the curved tube to force the curved sections of the tube into alignment with a normally straight section of the tube and means for moving the opposed die blocks into contact with curved portions and straight portions of the tube for forcing the curved portions of the tube into alignment with the straight portions thereof.

2. A tube straightening device comprising a supporting frame, elongated die blocks, means for supporting the die blocks in said frame with their longitudinal axes parallel and for movement into engagement with diametrically opposed sections of a tube to be straightened, the space between the die blocks being free from obstruction so as to permit a tube having curved portions to be inserted between the die blocks, the tube contacting faces of the die blocks being shaped longitudinally and circumierentially to correspond to a. normally straight section of the tube operated upon and of a. length sufllcient 5 when contacting with the curved tube to force the curved sections of the tube into alignment with a normally straight section of the tube, each die block having a roller projecting from its outer face, a. cam ring rotatable about said rollers and contacting therewith for simultaneously moving the die blocks into engagement with the curved portion of the tube or straightening the same, and springs for moving said die blocks away from the tube when released by the can means.

ARTHUR 1.. mm. 

